Slow but stable growth in the stock market and a bright outlook for 2014 and 2015 were points of discussion during ASA’s Aug. 14 Industry Forecasting Webinar that featured Industry Trends Research President Alan Beaulieu.  Beaulieu presented ASA members with an update on what he sees changing for the balance of 2013 and into 2014 and beyond. In this one-hour session, Beaulieu advised members as to what various market segments are doing, including which ones are emerging and when it will be advisable to invest in expanding their businesses. Some of the positives moving forward toward the end of the year include: an increase in hiring, banks continuing to provide loans, an increase in retail sales and improved spending in both the residential and commercial construction markets.

The webinar was the second in a two-part series and is just part of a comprehensive new forecasting program that was launched by ASA at NetworkASA 2012 in Orlando last October. At that event, Beaulieu gave a complete 2013 industry forecast, which introduced the ASA membership to the monthly ASA Advisor forecast publication from ITR Economics. ASA Advisor not only provides a monthly competitive advantage to ASA members, but the regular update also helps them plan for the economic future of their companies.

 Beaulieu will follow up ASA’s two-part webinar series with his 2014 industry forecast at NetworkASA 2013 in Washington, D.C., Oct. 2-4. Members that did not have an opportunity to participate in either the April or August webinar can view replays by logging in to the “Members-Only” portion of the ASA website at www.asa.net/Login.aspx.  Please contact ASA at 630/467-0000 or info@asa.net for member login credentials if needed.  

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